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Mazda Mazda3 2016 recalls, problems, complaints and safety

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls issued for the Mazda Mazda3 2016 and 103 complaints filed by owners. One of them carries a do-not-drive or park-outside warning until repaired. It has 101% more complaints than the average Mazda Mazda3 from 2016–2025 (51 per year).

These are recalls issued for this model and year, not for your specific car. A car may already be repaired or may not be included. Confirm with your VIN on NHTSA.

Own or buying a Mazda Mazda3 2016? Enter its VIN to see its exact trim and engine, and confirm on NHTSA whether its recalls were repaired.

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Where do I find the VIN?
1 2 3
  1. Dashboard, driver side: visible from outside through the windshield.
  2. Sticker on the driver's door frame.
  3. Paperwork: title, registration and insurance card.

Recalls issued for the Mazda Mazda3 2016

Backup camera and sensors
NHTSA campaign 23V487000 · 2023-07-14

What happens

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Mazda3 and 2016-2021 CX-3 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display properly by showing a flickering or distorted image.

Consequence

A rearview camera that does not display properly can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera, as necessary. In addition, dealers will install a wiring harness fastening seal. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed September 13, 2023. Final owner letters for affected models and model years in the states of CT, MA, MD, NJ, NY, PA and VA were mailed August 14, 2024. The remaining owner notification letters will be mailed at a future date, anticipated on or before May 1, 2025. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 6. Mazda's number for this recall is 6023G.

The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.

NHTSA 23V487000

Visibility (glass and mirrors)
NHTSA campaign 19V272000 · 2019-04-04

What happens

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Mazda3 vehicles. A defective windshield wiper relay may cause the windshield wipers to become inoperative, reducing the driver's visibility.

Consequence

Reduced visibility while driving can increase the risk of crash.

Remedy

Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front body control module with a new module which uses an improved wiper relay design, free of charge. The recall began May 7, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 3219D.

The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.

NHTSA 19V272000

Parking brake
NHTSA campaign 17V393000 · 2017-06-22

What happens

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Mazda6 and 2014-2016 Mazda3 vehicles. Water could possibly enter the brake caliper causing the parking brake actuator shaft to corrode and possibly bind.

Consequence

If the parking brake actuator shaft binds, the parking brake may not engage or disengage fully. If the parking brake does not engage properly, the vehicle may move unexpectedly if it is parked on a slope, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will check the parking brake actuator shafts, replacing any that are corroded, free of charge. Remedy parts are currently unavailable. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed August 24, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1217F.

The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.

NHTSA 17V393000

Fuel system
NHTSA campaign 16V685000 · 2016-09-23

What happens

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2016 Mazda3 vehicles manufactured September 24, 2015, to October 16, 2015. During manufacturing, the fuel tanks for the affected vehicles may have deformed, resulting in a fuel leak from the recirculation pipe welded connection.

Consequence

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Mazda will notify owners, and depending on the tank lot number, dealers will inspect the recirculation pipe weld, replacing the fuel tank, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 1, 2016. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 0216I.

The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.

NHTSA 16V685000

Fuel system
NHTSA campaign 16V684000 · 2016-09-22

What happens

Mazda Motors North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Mazda3 vehicles manufactured January 4, 2014, to September 18, 2015. The fuel tank of the affected vehicles may have been improperly handled during manufacturing and, as a result, the welded attachment of the Inlet Check Valve (ICV) may fail and allow fuel to leak.

Consequence

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Mazda will notify owners, and depending on the tank lot number, dealers will inspect the ICV weld, replacing the fuel tank, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 1, 2016. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 0116I.

The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.

NHTSA 16V684000

Fuel system
NHTSA campaign 15V621000 · 2015-10-02 !

NHTSA and the manufacturer advise NOT to drive this vehicle until it is repaired.

What happens

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Mazda3 vehicles manufactured May 21, 2015, to August 25, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with a fuel tank with a shut-off valve that can allow fuel to enter into the fuel tank emissions systems. If enough fuel enters the emission system it may leak out onto the ground or result in an engine stall.

Consequence

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire. An engine that stalls increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle's fuel shut-off valve. As needed, the fuel shut-off valve and the affected fuel tank emissions system components will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on October 20, 2015. Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the repairs have been completed. Mazda will provide rental cars until that time. Owners may contact the Mazda Customer Experience Center at 1-800- 222-5500, option #6. Mazda's number for this recall is 8615J.

The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.

NHTSA 15V621000

Complaints from other owners

103 complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of this model.

7 with a crash · 1 with a fire · 5 injuries

Most reported problems on the Mazda Mazda3 2016

Complaints are written by owners and NHTSA doesn't verify each one. They're useful to spot trends.

What to check before buying a Mazda Mazda3 2016

Safety rating (NCAP)

OverallFrontalSideRollover
2016 Mazda Mazda3 5 HB FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆
2016 Mazda Mazda3 4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆

Mazda Mazda3 recalls by year

Guides for this check

Frequently asked questions

How many recalls does the Mazda Mazda3 2016 have?

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls issued for the Mazda Mazda3 2016. That doesn't mean every car has them open: confirm with the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The repair is free at the dealer.

What is the most common problem with the Mazda Mazda3 2016?

In complaints filed with NHTSA, the most mentioned component is: electrical system (22 of 103 complaints). Complaints aren't verified one by one, but they show trends.

Model-level information from official NHTSA sources. Confirm by VIN on NHTSA. Not a substitute for a mechanical inspection.

Last updated: October 22, 2026. Sources: NHTSA vPIC (decoding), NHTSA Recalls, NHTSA Complaints and NHTSA NCAP (5-Star Safety Ratings).